Only Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, might maintain the right to host Euro 2012 matches, with approval for three other Ukrainian cities - Donetsk, Lviv and Kharkiv - dependent on the progress they make over the next four months.
UEFA's executive committee will take the final decision regarding host cities in December and expects Ukraine to offer concrete guarantees that the country will be able to fulfil its promises by then.
Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko accused the government of breaking promises made regarding financing the tournament. Just days before, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko had said preparations to co-host the event with Poland were proceeding normally despite the effects of the global financial crisis.
According to UEFA, Kiev could host some matches but not even the capital is in a position to host the final. Serious infrastructure problems must still be resolved regarding airport infrastructure, transport networks and accommodation if the country is to be able to welcome a huge influx of football fans and ensure the smooth running of the championships.
Ukraine and Poland were chosen as co-hosts of the event in 2007.
On an inspection visit in Poland earlier this week, UEFA President Michel Platini said he was satisfied with the "current level of preparations" in the country. All four of the country's Euro 2012 host cities - Gdańsk, Wrocław, Poznań and Warsaw - have already received initial approval to stage matches.
While officials insist that the right to host the tournament will not be withdrawn from Ukraine or Poland, UEFA is anxious about delays in preparing for the competition. The body has put together a reserve plan, according to which the distribution of cities hosting matches could be altered and some of the matches might take place in the German cities of Berlin and Leipzig.
